The application of the Official Information Act 1982 to the authorities depends on the nature of the authority and its relationship with a department or organisation that is subject to the Act.

Abortion Supervisory Committee

The Abortion Supervisory Committee has the responsibility of keeping under review all the provisions of the abortion law in New Zealand and the operation and effect of those provisions in practice. This includes licensing institutions to perform abortions and the appointment of certifying consultants to consider cases. The Abortion Supervisory Committee is subject to the Official Information Act because it is listed in Schedule 1 of the Act.

Criminal Justice Assistance Reimbursement Scheme

The Criminal Justice Assistance Reimbursement Scheme was introduced in 1993 to provide compensation for those who have been victimised and suffer loss of property or earnings as a direct result of being called to give evidence in relation to a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment. People in close relationship to such witnesses are also able to claim against the scheme. There is also discretion available to cover exceptional cases. Claims may be made for an event that took place on or after 1 July 1993.

Customs Appeal Authority

The Customs Appeal Authority sits as a judicial authority for hearing and deciding such appeals as are authorised by the Customs and Excise Act 1996 or any other Act against assessments, decisions, rulings, determinations and directions of the Comptroller of Customs.

International Education Appeal Authority

The International Education Appeal Authority is an independent body that deals with complaints from international students about the care, advice or services they receive from their education provider or the provider's agent.

The Authority has been established to investigate complaints and determine if there has been a breach of the Code of Pastoral Care. All hearings are conducted in private, on the papers and cannot be reported on.

Legal Complaints Review Officer

The role of the Legal Complaints Review Officer (LCRO) is to promote public confidence in lawyers and conveyancers. The LCRO provides independent oversight of and reviews decisions made by the standards committees of the New Zealand Law Society and the New Zealand Society of Conveyancers.

All proceedings before the LCRO are conducted in private and any decisions published are done so with the names of parties removed to maintain anonymity, unless an order for publication is made.

Licensing Authority of Secondhand Dealers and Pawnbrokers

The Licensing Authority of Secondhand Dealers and Pawnbrokers grants licences and certificates to secondhand dealers and pawnbrokers. It also hears Police objections to the granting of such licences and certificates and Police complaints against licensed secondhand dealers and pawnbrokers and certificate holders.

Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority

The Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority was established on 1 April 2011 as a result of the enactment of the Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators Act 2010. The Authority grants licences and certificates to people working in the private security and investigations industry.

The Authority also hears objections to the granting of licences and certificates and complaints made against holders of licences and certificates.

Where decisions are published they will be made available on the Ministry's website (www.justice.govt.nz/tribunals/PSPLA). Please note that the URL is case sensitive.

Social Security Appeal Authority

The Social Security Appeal Authority, provided for by the Social Security Act 1964, hears and determines appeals against any decision of the Ministry of Social Development's Benefit Review Committee where a beneficiary disputes the findings made.

Student Allowance Appeal Authority

The Student Allowance Appeal Authority, provided for by the Education Act 1989 and the Student Allowances Regulations 1998, hears and determines appeals against decisions of the Director-General of Education relating to student allowances and grants.

Taxation Review Authority

The Taxation Review Authority, provided for by the Taxation Review Authorities Act 1994, sits as a judicial authority to hear and determine objections to assessments of tax or duty, or decisions of the Commissioner of Inland Revenue.